Apple could battle Fujitsu over ownership of iPad name
When Apple formally introduced its touchscreen tablet as the iPad Wednesday, it was not the first tech product to carry that moniker -- Fujitsu released its own mobile, touchscreen 'iPAD' in 2002.
Speaking with The New York Times, Masahiro Yamane, director of public relations for Fujitsu, said it is the company's understanding that they still own the name 'iPad.' Fujitsu is currently consulting with its lawyers over the next steps it may take.
It could become a similar situation to 2007, when Apple formally introduced the iPhone, only to be sued days later by Cisco, which owned the rights to the name. The Linksys iPhone was released just three weeks before the Apple iPhone was introduced at the Macworld San Francisco keynote in early January 2007.
Just over a month later, Apple and Cisco settled their dispute, with both companies retaining the right to use the iPhone trademark on products throughout the world. Terms of the deal were confidential.
The Windows CE .NET-based Fujitsu iPAD has a 3.5-inch color touch screen, Bluetooth connectivity, Wi-Fi, and is capable of VoIP communications. It also sports a laser scanner and Mag Card reader, and is powered by an Intel processor. It costs around $2,000.
Evidence of the potential dispute first surfaced last week, when Apple filed several requests asking for additional time to present evidence opposing Fujitsu's trademark application for the 'iPAD' name. Apple began the process in Sept. 2009, and has continued to ask to have the option to oppose the name. The extension was granted, and Apple has until Feb. 28 to make its case.
Fujitsu abandoned the trademark in early 2009, only to reapply last June. The Times also noted other iPads around the world: German company Siemens sells 'iPad' engines and motors, and a Canadian lingerie company makes 'iPad' padded bras.
Previously, a company known as IP Application Development filed trademarks for the IPAD name in New Zealand, Australia and Trinidad and Tobago. Apple was also revealed to be behind Slate Computing LLC, which obtained possession of the iSlate trademark.
Speaking with The New York Times, Masahiro Yamane, director of public relations for Fujitsu, said it is the company's understanding that they still own the name 'iPad.' Fujitsu is currently consulting with its lawyers over the next steps it may take.
It could become a similar situation to 2007, when Apple formally introduced the iPhone, only to be sued days later by Cisco, which owned the rights to the name. The Linksys iPhone was released just three weeks before the Apple iPhone was introduced at the Macworld San Francisco keynote in early January 2007.
Just over a month later, Apple and Cisco settled their dispute, with both companies retaining the right to use the iPhone trademark on products throughout the world. Terms of the deal were confidential.
The Windows CE .NET-based Fujitsu iPAD has a 3.5-inch color touch screen, Bluetooth connectivity, Wi-Fi, and is capable of VoIP communications. It also sports a laser scanner and Mag Card reader, and is powered by an Intel processor. It costs around $2,000.
Evidence of the potential dispute first surfaced last week, when Apple filed several requests asking for additional time to present evidence opposing Fujitsu's trademark application for the 'iPAD' name. Apple began the process in Sept. 2009, and has continued to ask to have the option to oppose the name. The extension was granted, and Apple has until Feb. 28 to make its case.
Fujitsu abandoned the trademark in early 2009, only to reapply last June. The Times also noted other iPads around the world: German company Siemens sells 'iPad' engines and motors, and a Canadian lingerie company makes 'iPad' padded bras.
Previously, a company known as IP Application Development filed trademarks for the IPAD name in New Zealand, Australia and Trinidad and Tobago. Apple was also revealed to be behind Slate Computing LLC, which obtained possession of the iSlate trademark.
Comments
It could be kind of like the shuffle, the "iPod Shuffle" or the "iPod Nano" since they couldn't claim the rights to the word shuffle or nano.
Apple could call it the iPad Maxi???
And how well it continues to sell today with an eight year head-start?
It is a lot bigger than fujitsu's.
Apple could call it the iPad Maxi???
iPad Maxi, for heavier soiling.
Isn't it obvious than an "IPAD" released in 2002 might have been inspired by the name of the iPod, or by the iMac and all the subsequent i-stuff since 1998? Apple shouldn't have to fight with people who jump on its bandwagon and then claim to own the wagon.
Apple doesn't own 'i-stuff' any more than anybody owns 'e-stuff' or '@-stuff.' You can't trademark a letter, or a number. Look at Intel and the 586. They realized in order to have a defendable name, it had to be something new. They went with Pentium.
I hope Apple loses, as the name stinks.
Same.
They'll simply settle one way or the other.
Now I don't know which one I want. The Fujitsu model looks so elegant and for only $2,000.
i know, and it runs windows ce, i'm drooling over it...think of all that device, full of viruses...i want one right now...
Signed,
iKid-iKid
I hope Apple loses, as the name stinks.
Are you that big of a mouth-breather that you don't realize that you have to pay for every lawsuit that goes against Apple (or any other company you purchase goods from that gets sued)? Really?
I want a law that enforces an age restriction of 25 years or older to post anything on the internet so I don't have to read the simplistic thoughts of every moron with internet access.
Mac-sy Pad sounds like a good name for it. With it's all glass front, dropping it on the ground could be a bloody mess! (Pun intended)
Please tell me you registered just to add that.
1. "iBook" would be so much better. "Newton" being my favourite.
on a side note:
2. iBookstore does not sound as sexy as the "app" store. Just call it "book"store, it is easier to pronounce than "ibooks" store (notice the hissing of the s'es).
Women are peeved about the name "iPad" and the menstrual jokes just keep flowing...
Cut, copy and paste working? Check!
How about iCan or iConnect?